Outdoor pool is where it's at

The summer of 2009 should be an especially busy one for the Ancaster Lions Club outdoor pool. The outdoor pool will accommodate public swimming, swimming lessons and Waterfit programs while the Ancaster Aquatic Centre is closed for an extensive renovation.
Ancaster firm Bestco Construction was awarded the contract earlier this spring for more than $850,000 in upgrades. The pool is expected to remain closed until October 18.
Renovations includes a new roof, structural foundation improvements, boiler and dehumidification upgrades, new lighting, acoustic ceilings and lockers facilities. The project is the largest renovation the building has received in its 30-year history.
Public swimming at the Lions Outdoor Pool is available on weekdays from 1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. and on weekends from 1-4 p.m.
Visit http://www.myhamilton.ca/ for complete program listings.

A three minute glimpse of Heritage Days

Check this link for our Heritage Days slideshow: http://slideshows.metroland.com/Heritage_Days_2009/

It features 70 photos from last weekend's events.

Ancaster set to become Soccer Central

In just five years, the Ancaster Heritage Days soccer tournament has grown nearly as big as the festival of the same name.

More than 5,000 soccer players aged eight to 18 and 10,000 spectators will fill virtually every soccer pitch in Ancaster beginning tonight.

Ancaster Soccer Club president Jim Bethune said this year's tournament features 255 teams who will play nearly 500 games in three days.

About 40 teams were turned away this year, but organizers now have three additional fields to play with thanks to the newly added park site at the former Jerseyville Road landfill.

The new fields were unveiled on Thursday, just in time for the tournament.

A safe return from Afghanistan

The threat of enemy insurgents was just another part of the daily routine for two Ancaster reservists who recently returned from Afghanistan.
Sergeant Bradley Lofchik and Corporal Derk Dunford served an eight month tour of duty in Kandahar, Afghanistan with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.
Sgt. Lofchik and Cpl. Dunford provided security for government representatives as they toured Kandahar province in Southern Afghanistan. They were part of a Canadian contingent estimated at 2,700. Canadian troops are expected to remain in Afghanistan until 2011 according to current federal government plans.
On Monday morning, Sgt. Lofchik and Cpl. Dunford gave a presentation to students at CH Bray Public School, where Derk’s father, Doug Dunford, serves as principal.
Sgt. Lofchik, 30, who once attended CH Bray, said most Afghans he met appreciated the involvement of Canadian Forces who are helping to provide peace and stability.
“The country still has a long way to go, unfortunately. But all I hear from the locals is nothing but good things.”
Sgt. Lofchik said several key areas were targeted by enemy insurgents, including the local Afghan police headquarters and a jail.
Cpl. Dunford, 19, said it was not uncommon to hear loud explosions that would shake some of the buildings in their area. Just one week before their departure, the governor’s mansion in Kandahar province was targeted by a suicide bomber. No Canadians were involved.
“Every day there would be something new,” Cpl. Dunford said. “It just became normal. It was life.”
When it comes to fixing Afghanistan’s social, political and economic problems, Sgt. Lofchik said the only solution is time.
“Like any other country, there’s no quick fix,” he said.
Just a few hours after the reservists’ visit to CH Bray, Canadians were reminded of the heavy toll the country has paid during the Afghanistan mission. By Monday afternoon, the Canadian Press had reported the death of Private Alexandre Péloquin, 20, of the Royal 22e Regiment, based at CFB Valcartier near Quebec City. The Canadian Press reported Pte. Péloquin was killed by a makeshift bomb while on foot patrol in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province. Pte. Péloquin’s death marks 119 casualties for Canadian Forces since the combat mission began in 2002.
After showing students a slide show of photos from their mission, Sgt. Lofchik and Cpl. Dunford fielded questions from CH Bray students.
Sgt. Lofchik described the Taliban as “the bad people” who have access to guns and impose their will with brute force.
“They’re people who don’t agree with the beliefs of the other people,” said Sgt. Lofchik.
As CH Bray Principal Doug Dunford explained, the Taliban seek to ban girls from attending school.
The Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 and still control several key areas.
The slide show included photos of various buildings that have been protected and maintained by Canadian forces. A new Kandahar City University is a recent addition, along with several new schools. Canadian troops helped to rebuild a retaining wall at a local jail that was damaged during an attack. An abandoned hospital was also surveyed in the hope it can be reopened. The presentation also included shots of armed soliders in military fatigues, soldiers handing out supplies to Afghan children, scores of supporters lining the Highway of Heroes and reservists hoisting cups of Tim Hortons coffee. A photo of a soldier seated on Santa Claus’ lap prompted laughter from the students.
One student asked the reservists if they had fun during their mission.
“It’s not meant to be a fun experience,” said Cpl. Dunford, so it’s not as fun as you might think.”
Cpl. Dunford was one of the youngest reservists ever accepted for an overseas mission by the Argylls. Like the rest of his colleagues, he underwent a one-year training program at CFB Petawawa before being dispatched into the field.
Now that their tour of duty is complete, both reservists are looking forward to new careers. Sgt. Lofchik plans to attend teacher’s college. Cpl. Dunford hopes to become a paramedic.

Community honours Travis Carter

Every few weeks, Derek Carter gets an e-mail that brings a tear to his eye.
Parents around the world have contacted the Carter family seeking more information on Batten’s Disease, a rare, fatal degenerative neurological disorder with no cure.
“It makes you cry because I already know what’s going to happen to them,” Mr. Carter said.
On May 30, 2008, Mr. Carter’s son, Travis, lost his courageous battle against Late Infantile Batten’s disease at age 10. But today, thanks to Travis’ legacy, more people understand the devastating effects of childhood Batten’s disease and the continued search for a cure.
Last year, Travis’ parents hoped to return to China for a second stem cell treatment. Travis responded well to his initial treatment in 2006. Derek and Jenny Carter hoped a second treatment would help prolong Travis’ life. But Travis took a turn for the worse. He was taken off life support and fought for two days before succumbing to the ravaging effects of Batten’s disease.
In the months that followed, Travis’ parents took some time to consider a tribute to their son. After consulting Ward 6 councillor Tom Jackson and city parks staff, the Carters decided to support new, handicapped accessible playground equipment at Meadowlands Park, using the money that was supposed to send Travis to China.
“Out of all the things we could have done, this was the next best thing,” Mr. Carter said.
Three new pieces of accessible equipment have been added to the park, directly across the road from Holy Name of Mary on Meadowlands Boulevard. The new equipment is designed for children who use a wheelchair or youth with limited mobility.
The newly refurbished Meadowlands Community Park was unveiled on May 29 in a special ceremony honouring Travis Carter. Travis’ family joined hundreds of students from Travis’ school, Holy Name of Mary, along with city representatives at the official dedication ceremony.
“This is an emotional day, more emotional than I thought,” said Mr. Carter. When city crews were working to install the new equipment and related landscaping, Mr. Carter visited the site on a daily basis.
“Going to school was Travis’ greatest joy,” Mr. Carter told students and school staff at the dedication ceremony. “You allowed him to be a normal boy, even though it was only for short years.”
Today the Carter family is continuing to help other families deal with the devastating effects of Batten’s disease. The Carters recently helped a 10-year-old Italian boy receive the same stem cell treatment Travis received in 2006. Using their knowledge of the Chinese medical system, the Carters have helped other families explore stem cell therapy, a procedure that is unavailable in North America.
The Carters’ charity, Travis’ Battle, is no longer raising money. But the Carters hope to create a national Canadian foundation for Batten’s Disease that would promote research and awareness. Travis was just the 48th Canadian child to be diagnosed with the disease.
As an infant, Travis lived a normal life. He sat up at six months, said his first words and crawled at nine months and took his first steps shortly after his first birthday.He amazed his parents by assembling a 10-piece shape toy at 18 months. He learned to swing a golf club at age two.
On Canada Day, 2001, Travis endured his first seizure during an afternoon nap. He was rushed to McMaster Children's hospital and eventually diagnosed with childhood epilepsy. At age four, Travis was diagnosed with Late Infantile Batten’s disease.
Travis’ parents continue to maintain a website at http://www.travisbattle.com/ with information on Travis and Batten’s disease.